What is language?
Language is more than just communication. It’s the primary method by which we do things together. Sat, Apr 5, 2008 Before we ask what visual language is, it makes sense to ask what language is. Here’s an attempt to visualize some current thinking on language. The image below summarizes my synthesis of some ideas from a book called Using Language by Herbert H. Clark.
ClickXPLANEMy Flickr photostream My Twitter feed Visual thinking on Squidoo VizThink Selling to the VP of NO Etc.Thanks for visiting! Tag cloud
|
4 comments
I love the image and synthesis. But I think it is missing a step (0): Thinking. Language is the fundamental way that humans think and organize their thoughts.
There has to be a conversation in my head before there can be a conversation with another person.
I really like the graphic, and would agree with William. Did Herbert H. Clark discuss the aspect of using Language in our thinking?
Hi Dave, Here are links to my papers which I mentioned: “Organizing Thoughts into Sequences, Hierarchies and Networks” http://www.ms.lt/ms/projects/structurekinds/paper052499.html “An Economy for Giving Everything Away” http://www.ms.lt/en/publishing/TheAlgebraOfCopyright.html, and also the Mindset modeling language for import/export for software tools for organizing thoughts http://www.ms.lt/mindset.html
Dave, also, I am in Chicago until October 14 so perhaps we can meet when you come? I am interested to work for you on projects you may have. Peace.
One Trackback
[...] Dave Gray » What is language? [...]